Packaging machine control



April 20, 1954 R. E. TAGGART ET AL 2,675,657

PACKAGING MACHINE CONTRQL v Filed Oct. 10, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet l afm/enfors Ro5er$2 j fmer on HT 02279 April 20, 54, R. E. TAVGGART ET AL2,675,657

PACKAGING MACHINE CONTROL Filed Oct. 10', 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 April20, 1954 R. E. TAGGART ET AL 2,675,657

PACKAGING MACHINE CONTROL Filed Oct. 10, 1951 '7 Sheets-Sheet s April20, 1954 R. E. TAGGART ET AL 2,675,657

PACKAGING MACHINE CONTROL Filed Oct. 10, 1951 l 7 sheets Sheet 4 ff ,9J0 5 1 7 a A 7 J] H? 27 C05 '(swwwa ww ze a I I April 20, 1954 R E.TAGGART ET AL PACKAGING MACHINE CONTROL '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 101951 5915 a d-7&5

fizz/maxi f?ofier? 222 9 fmefiazz 22777202"?? 2 Patented Apr. 20, 1954PACKAGING MACHINE CONTROL Robert E. Taggart and Emerson Howard Thorne,Toledo, Ohio, assignors to Lynch Corporation, Anderson, Ind., acorporation of Indiana Application October 10, 1951, Serial No. 250,692

16 Claims.

This invention relates to a control system for a packaging machine ofthe kind shown in Stevens Patent No. 2,292,487 and disclosed in thecopending lication of Doepel and Wiley, Serial No. 130,075, filed July9, 1949.

The object of the present invention is simplification of the controlsystem and a reduction in the number of machine element-operated limitswitches or the Doepel and Wiley patent in order to bring about betteroperating characteristics of the packaging machine shown in the Stevensand the Doepel and Wiley patents and to provide the ultimate in propershutdown of the machine when a package being wrapped jams at any pointin the machine during any of the wrapping operation being performed onthe package or when any malfunctioning of the machine occurs.

A further object is to provide an improved arrangement of electricalcontrol devices for controlling the pneumatically operated machineelements of a packaging machine, and to provide switching arrangementsthat permit maximum manual control by the operator of the variousmachine elements as required in addition to automatic operation insequence of the various relays, solenoid valves and actuating solenoidsfor other machine elements in order to perform the various functions ofthe packaging machine.

Still a further object is to provide a circuit arrangement that permitsa superior operating sequence of the successively controlled relays,solenoid valves and other solenoid-operated instrumentalities of theDoepel and Wiley patent with greater safety in connection with each stepor the operation or the machine and permits proper reversion of themachine elements to their starting positions in response to manualoperation of a reset switch and a reset relay operthereby after clearingthe machine of a jammed package, or when reset is desirable afteradjusting any malfunctioning of the machine or after readjusting it fordifferent sizes of packages.

With these and other objects in view, our invention consists in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of ourpackaging m chine control whereby the objects contemplated are attained,as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in our claims andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, where- Figure l is aperspective view of a packaging machine of the character to which ourpresent control system has been applied.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a typical package wrapped thereby.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of the various pneumatically-operatedinstrumentalities of the packaging machine, the solenoid valves and thesolenoid-operated instrumentalities of the machine together with thepneumatic circuit and. a series of limit switches operated by thepneumatically-operated instrumentalities for initiating the next step inthe cycle of operation by proper operation and completion of thepreceding step of the cycle, no electric wiring being shown.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the indicated line ll of Figure 3 toillustrate an end seal mechanism and its operating cylinder, theconnection thereof to a pair of pneumatic lines in Figure 3 beingindicated by dotted continuation lines.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of a typical solenoid-operated relay,three of which are used in our control system.

Figure 5a is a similar diagrammatic View of a timer solenoid and a.switch operated thereby.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view of a doublethrow pneumatic controlvalve, and a cylinder and piston controlled thereby, six of these valvesbeing used in the machine as illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a similar diagrammatic view showing a double valvearrangement for one of the cylinders disclosed in Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a side elevation, partly in section, of an air beam switchof the packaging machine.

Figures 9 to 19 are diagrammatic views similar to portions of Figure 3to show various steps in the packaging operation from insertion of thearticle to be packaged to the final sealing of the wrapper flaps at theend of the package.

Figure 14a is a perspective of one end of a partially wrapped package asit appears after the wrapping step performed in Figure 14.

Figure 20 is a chart of symbols used in connection with Figures 21 and22 and Figures 21 and 22 are an electrodiagrammatic view of the wiringfor our control system, the upper end of Figure 22 being a continuationof the lower end of Figure 21.

On the accompanying drawings, reference being had to Figure l, we haveused the reference numeral 25 to indicate in general the frame of thepackaging machine involved. As to the general details there disclosed, aloading table or plate 26 is shown on which articles A are placed by theoperator and pushed against a stop plate 27. The packaging machinepackages the article A and the completed package indicated at P isdischarged from the machine on a discharge plate 28 between a side plate2?; and an end seal ES which also is in the form of a plate. A roll ofwrapping paper W is illustrated in which the articles A are wrapped.

Also shown in this figure is a top ram cylinder TRC from which a pistonrod extends and terminates in a top ram TR. A knife and glue beltcylinder K&GBC is provided in pairs for moving a glue belt GB intocontact with the wrapper W. A knife K is also provided for cutting thewrapper and is propelled by the cylinder K8zGBC. The knife K is notshown in Figure 1 but appears in Figure 3. This knife will be referredto later on in the description of the operation.

In Figure 1 a wrapper engaging roller 39 is shown and opposing it asshown in Figure 3 is a wrapper feed roller 3|. A wrapper feed motor WFM,referred to in Figure 21, is provided for rotating the roller 3| throughsuitable stepdown gearing. A glue belt motor GEM drives the glue beltGB, the gluepot for the glue belt being shown at 32.

Adjacent the left end of Figure 1 an end seal cylinder ESC is shown andadjacent the right end thereof a discharge ram cylinder DRC. A motor isshown at EGM, this being one of a pair of end glue motors for gluing theend flaps of the package. The mechanical details of the mechanism willnot be gone into further except as to the machine elements that enterinto the wrapping operation of the machine under control of our controlsystem as herein disclosed inasmuch as those details are shown in theDoepel and Wiley patent. Wherever changes from the specification of thatpatent have been made in accordance with our disclosure, the differencewill be described in detail.

Figure 2 illustrates a completed package P and it will be seen that thewrapper W is wrapped around the package with a lap joint at GI. This isa glued lap, being the first one performed in the machine. Also at eachend of the package P the end flaps are glued as indicated at G2.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, a complete diagram of the pneumaticinstrumentalities of the packaging machine is shown and in addition tothe top ram TR and its cylinder TRC, the glue belt GB and its cylinderKzGB and the end seal ES and its cylinder ESC already referred to, thefollowing instrumentalities are shown, each being provided with anoperating cylinder as indicated.

Reference Character Machine Element Cylinder Seal Table SIO. Feed RamFRO. Discharge Ramnlu DRC. No. 1 Seal Plate SPlC. No. 2 Seal Plate SP20.Tuckers TC (two) Top Se 0.

Reference Character Machine Element Knife Blow Pipe. Flipper Solenoid.Wrapper Feed Solenoid. Side Fold Solenoid.

Air Beam Switch.

Each of the cylinders above referred to has a piston therein with apiston rod extending out of the cylinder and connected with the machineelement for that cylinder as obvious from an inspection of Figure 3. Thepistons and their rods have not been given reference numerals as it isthought the construction is obvious, and reference numerals would crowdthe drawing. It might be explained, however, that the glue belt GB istrained around a pair of pulleys, the near side pulley being shown at 35in Figure 1 and the far side pulley at 36 in Figure 3, the piston rodfor the cylinder K&GB having a grooved bar 3! to depress the portion ofthe glue belt spanning the wrapper W so that this portion contacts thewrapper, and the glue on the surface of the belt is thereby transferredto the wrap-per.

Eight solenoid-operated control valves are pro vidcd for the elevencylinders shown in Figures 3 and 4. These bear reference characters VIto V8 and each valve has a solenoid at each end thereof which arelabeled l-F to 8-F and l-R to 8-R, F indicating forward motion of thepiston rod and R indicating rearward motion thereof. There is providedone solenoid-operated valve for one or more cylinders except thecylinder STC which has two valves V2 and V3 for the operations thereof.The three cylinders TC, TC and TSC are connected in parallel andcontrolled by one valve V7, the two cylinders FRC and K&GBC arecontrolled by the one Valve V5 and the two cylinders DRC and E80 arecontrolled by one valve V8.

The compressed air supply line to all eight valves is shown at 38 (heavylines). The air lines from the valves to the cylinders (light lines)have not been given reference numerals as the arrangement is believedclearly obvious from an inspection of Figures 3 and 4. Certain branchconnections, however, will now be referred to. An air beam switch ABS isshown and a branch connection 39 leads thereto from the il-R. end of thevalve V and a further branch 84 leads to the knife blow pipe KBP.

Details of the air beam switch are shown in Figure 8. The air beam isillustrated at lil, being compressed air discharged from a nozzle 4!through an opening 32 in the frame 43 of the air beam switch and into acup 45. This cup is mounted on an arm 45 (pivoted at 66) of a switchSw-i which is normally closed, but when the air beam it strikes the cup54, it is held open. When the wrapper W, however, enters the air beamswitch between the nozzle 6! and the opening 42, it will cut the airbeam 40 and permit the switch to close. The knife blow pipe KB]? spansthe wrapper W and has a series of spaced perforations along its lowersurface to discharge air against the wrapper W to insure that theWrapper material will pass properly under the knife K.

Adjacent the upper left portion of Figure 3, the wrapper feed solenoidWFS and the flipper solenoid FS are disclosed. The solenoid WFS whenenergized lifts the wrapper engaging roller to (lever 36a pivoted oncenter 3%) as shown so that even though the wrapper feed roller 3! isrotating the wrapper W will not be fed. The flipper solenoid FS, whenenergized, swings a normally depending flipper plate 4'!counterclockwise from the position shown to a horizontal position tosupport the wrapper W as it is fed toward the right to the air beamswitch ABS.

A series of limit switches Sw-l to 8112- are provided to be operateddepending on the presonce of an article to be wrapped on the loadingplate 26 against the stop 21 and. on the positions of certain of themachine elements as will now be described. The normally open switch Sw-lis mounted in the stop plate 21 to be engaged and closed by the articleA as it is pushed into the machine by the operator. The normally openswitch Sill-Z is closed by the seal table ST in its uppermost position(indicated by the arrow 91) and normally open switches 8112-9 and S'LU-Ware closed in that sequence by the seal table ST in its down position.The arrangement has been shown merely diagrammatically with actualcontact of the seal table with the switches Sic-2, Sui-9 and Sw-IB.

The switch Sw-(i is normally open and is adapted to be closed when thefeed ram FR reaches its forward position as indicated by the arrow 18.The fourth switch controls two circuits. Stu-4A is normally closed andadapted to be opened, while the switch Stu-4B is normally open andadapted to be closed by the top ram in its uppermost position. Theswitch Sui-5 is normally open and adapted to be closed by the #1 sealplate SPi in its forward position as indicated by the arrow 50. Theswitch Stu-6 is normally open and adapted to be closed by the #2 sealplate SP2 in its forward position as indicated by the arrow 5!.

The switch Sw-l has already been described, being the air beam switch.The switch Sui-8 is normally open and adapted to be closed by theleft-hand tucker T when in the retracted position shown. The switchSw-ll is normally open and adapted to be closed momentarily by thepackage 1? during its discharge movement along the plate 28 (to the leftin Figure 3).

While we have shown the various machine elements as directly engagingthe switches Sw-i to Stu-Iii and the package P directly engaging theswitch Sw-l i, it is to be understood that in actual practice theswitches are enclosed and provided with suitable insulated elementsengaged by any suitable movable part of the machine element thatoperates the switch rather than the exact arrangement shown onlydiagrammatically in Figure 3. All parts of the machine are shown in thisfigure in the position they assume upon the completion of the cycle ofoperation, which completion is accomplished by the package P engagingand then passing beyond the switch 8111-! l. Thereupon the machine is incondition for starting the next cycle or wrapping operation.

The side fold solenoid SFS when energized attracts a plunger 52 forretracting a side fold plate 53 against the action of a spring 54.Opposing the plate 53 is a stationary side fold plate 55 and these twoplates define a well into which the article and the wrapper is moveddownwardly as will hereinafter appear.

As to the construction and operation of the valves Vi, V2, V5, V6, V1and V8, which are all similar, reference is made to Figure 6. These arespool valves in which spool heads 56, 51 and 58 are mounted on a plunger59 which, in the diagrammatic showing, may constitute a plunger for thesolenoid coils I-F and l-R. Inlet ports 59 connect to the valve bodyfrom the compressed air supply line 38. The valve body also has anexhaust port 60 and cylinder ports 6| and 52 leading to the rearward andforward ends respectively of the cylinder in each case, Figure 6illustrating the #2 seal plate cylinder SP2C controlled by the valve VI.

The porting arrangement is such that when the solenoid coil l-F isenergized as illustrated, compressed air flows behind the piston in thecylinder and exhausts from in front of the piston, all as shown byarrows in Figure 6 and drives the piston rod in the forward direction asindicated by the arrow thereon. When the solenoid l-R is energized thepiston is driven in the rearward direction.

For the seal table cylinder STC, the two valves V2 and V3 are providedand each of these has an inlet port 63 connected to the compressed airsupply line 36 and an exhaust port 64 as shown in Figure '7. Each of thevalve bodies V2 and V3 also has a cylinder port 65. The cylinder portsare connected with opposite ends of the cylinder STC, the port 65 forthe valve V3 to the rear or lower end of the cylinder and the port 65 ofthe valve V2 to the upper or forward end of the cylinder.

After the solenoid coils 2-F and 3-F are energized, air flows into therear of the cylinder STC for elevating the seal table ST while the airabove the piston exhausts from the front of the cylinder through thevalve V2 as illustrated. When either coil of either valve is energizedand then tie-energized, the spool 66 on the plunger 67 will remain inthe position to which it was driven by such energization until the othersolenoid coil of that valve is energized. This ar rangernent isdesirable in order to permit the seal table EST to be elevated when thevalves V2 and V3 are in the position of Figure 7 and for air to beexhausted from under the piston of the seal table for permitting thepackage to be partially lowered by the top ram TR to wrapping position(which will hereinafter be referred to) when the solenoid coil 3-R. isenergized, without introducing air into the cylinder STC above thepiston, and then later the solenoid 2R may be energized for introducingair above the piston which will drive it down to the bottom of itsstroke after which the solenoid coil 2-F is energized for exhausting airfrom above the piston so that the piston can later rise during the beginning of the next wrapping cycle when the solenoid coil 3-5 is energizedas will hereinafter appear in connection with the description of thecycle of operation referred to in connection with Figures 9 to 19.

Referring next to the electro-diagram in Figures 21 and 22, the switchesSw-l to Sw-H shown as well as additional switches for variouselectrically-operated devices of the packaging machine. The switches Swlto Stu-i! are in a vertical row indicated 2 at the top of Fi ure 22 andat the bottom of Figures 21 and 2 with the exception of SID-5, Sui-8 and$2043, which have been displaced to the right in order to be at theproper position in the circuit. T. current supply is indicated at thetop of ure 21 and lines L2 and Li extend therefrom along the left andright sides respectively of Figures 21 and 22. These lines are heavy asthey are the feeder wires, the wiring diagram illustrated being suchthat the electric circuit for any electrically-operated element andthrough any switch of the control system can be readily traced from leftto right. Part of such tracin may be from a heavy line L2 whereverapplicable as this is in effect also a feed line because it is fed fromthe line L2 through a normally closed switch Saw-I9 Manually operableswitches Sui-l2 to STD-l9 are also disclosed, Sill-J2 being adjacent thelower left corner of Figure 22 in row 2, switches Stu-I3, Stu-l4,SUI-l5, Stu-l6 and Sw-li also being in this row starting at the top ofFigure 21. Sui-i8 is displaced to the right of the row 2 below SUI-9 andSui-l9 is in a left-hand row indicated 4, this being a manual resetswitch having the normally closed switch Sw-l Qeand three switches Sw-IBSw-iS and $2049 which are normally open.

Also involved in the manual reset switch Sw-l 9 is a reset relaycomprising a reset relay solenoid RRS and reset relay contacts RRI, BB2,BB4, RRS, RES, RR? and RRB in row 4. Some of these contacts are normallyopen and some are normally closed and they are mechanically connectedtogether as indicated by a dash line 85. These contacts are changed asto the positions shown in Figures 21 and 22 whenever the reset relaysolenoid RES is energized.

This solenoid is energized by closure of the switch Sw-lfi when themanual reset switch Sw-i9 is depressed at the push button indicated at8']. The contacts Sic-19 Sic-E9 Stu-I9" and Sic-i9 are likewisemechanically connected together as indicated at 86. Whenever manualreset is desirable, the push button 81 is depressed for operating theswitch Sw-iii and energizing the reset relay solenoid RRS for operatingthe reset relay contacts just described, thus conditioning all parts ofthe circuit for starting again at the beginning of a cycle of operationof the machine.

In a fifth row and reading from top to bottom in Figure 21 is thewrapper feed motor WFM, the two end glue motors EGM, the dipper solenoidFS (Figure 22), the wrapped feed solenoid WFS, the glue belt motor GBM,and the side fold solenoid SFS already referred to.

In a sixth row (6) of the diagram the eight forward coils I-F to 8-1 andthe eight rearward coils l-B to 8-R of the eight valves VI to V8 alreadyreferred to are shown in the circuit.

Also shown in Figure 21 is a top seal heater TSH controlled by theswitch Sui-l5. A thermostat 68 automatically controls the top sealheater TSH to maintain it at a substantially constant temperature. Thisheater is contained in the #2 seal plate SP2.

Next are four end seal heaters ESH controlled manually by the switchSui-46 and automatically by thermostats 69. These heaters are containedin the end seal plates 29 and ES. The heaters TSH and ESI-I are providedwith pilot lamps 70 and II respectively to indicate whether or not theswitches Sic-45 and Sw-lfi are closed.

Three main relays are provided under control of the switches Sw-l toSw-l I for energizing the circuits in the proper order for a completecycle of operations and in Figure 5 we show one of these relaysindicated as R-I. This relay has a close coil Rl-C and a trip coil RI-T.The solenoid coils just referred to act on a plunger 12 to move it inone direction or the other and after it is moved and the coil thatcaused movement is deenergized, the relay stays in that position untilthe other coil is energized.

The relay RI has eight sets of contacts designated IA, 4A, IB, 4B, 2A,3A, 2B and 3B in Figure 5; whereas in Figures 21 and 22 they aredesignated as Rl-IA, RI-GA, RI-IB, Ri-AB, Ri-ZA, Ri-SA, Rl-2B and Rl-3Brespectively to distinguish the eight switches from seven switches forthe relay R2 and five switches for the relay R3 shown in Figures 21 and22. Figure 5 illustrates diagrammatically that the various switchesreferred to consist of, in each instance, a pair of contacts 13 and ablade M to bridge them, the blades being carried by cross arms 15 of thecore 12. This figure, of course, is merely diagrammatic and serves toshow how the A switches are all closed when the coil Rl-C is energized,the B switches being opened at that time, and the B switches beingclosed and the A switches opened by energization of the solenoid coilRl-T.

In the row indicated at 3 in Figures 21 and 22, most of the relaycontacts just referred to are shown. Some, however, are displaced fromthis row, Ri-3A being below RI-ZA and displaced to the right, falling inrow 8 in which the contacts R2-3A, R3-3A, R2-3B, R3-3B and Rl-tB arelocated and RS-ZA being displaced slightly to the right of Ri-IB in row3.

The close coils C and trip coils T of the three main relays are shown onthe wiring diagram in row i. The only other element in these two figureswhich requires explanation is the switch Sill-28 between rows 4 and 5and adjacent the top in Figure 22. This is the timer switch alreadyreferred to as including the timer solenoid TS Referring to Figure 5awherein the timer switch is shown diagrammatically, a pneumatic dashpotarrangement is provided for the solenoid core and permits quick closingof the switch Sic-2i] when the timer solenoid TS is deenergized butdelays the opening of this switch when the timer solenoid TS isenergized. This figure illustrates a, plunger 88 normally raised by aspring 89 to close the switch Sw-2ll when the coil TS is die-energizedas illustrated.

In this position a stop pin 95 on the plunger or core 88 has effectedclosure of the switch SID-2U and this switch is provided with overcentermeans so as to be retained in that position until physical means isprovided for separating the bridging contact from the stationarycontacts.

As further illustrated in Figure 5a, an air chamber 92 is shown having adiaphragm 9i spanning the chamber and connected with the plunger 83. Theair chamber has a leak 94 and a somewhat larger opening 93 for readyescape of air which opening is normally closed by a check ball 92. Asecond pin 96 on the plunger 88 is illustrated to show diagrammaticallya lost motion connection.

When the coil TS is energized, the plunger 83 will move slowly into thecoil because the valve 92 remains on the seat 93 and air can enter thechamber only through the leak 94. It therefore takes some time for thepin 26 to engage the bridging contact of the switch Sill-2D which givesa delayed action for opening of the switch. The leak 34 is readilyadjustable so as to delay the opening of the switch Sw-Zfl and therebydelay the start of the wrapper W feeding operation as desired followingclosure of the limit switch Sui-4 and of the relay contacts R2-2B sothat the advance edge of the wrapper will enter the air beam 4B betweenthe closure of switches Sw-S and Sill-3.

When the coil TS is de-energized, however, the spring 69 expands and theair compressed in the chamber 98 lifts the ball 92 from the seat 93 sothat there is ready escape of air from the chamber and accordingly quickclosing of the switch S2040 to promptly stop wrapper feeding.

Referring to Figure 2, the article A is placed on the loading plate 26(as also shown in Figure 1) and pushed against the stop plate 21, en-

gaging the switch Sw-I and closingit as it does so. The sequence ofoperations initiated by the closure of the switch Sw-l will be referredto in detail after describing the operations that take placefor wrappingthe article as illustrated successively in Figures 9 to 19.

In Figure 9 the article 'A has engaged the switch Sw-l and initiatedoperation which results in the seal table ST being elevated as indicatedby the arrow 16, the wrapper W having already been advanced by the feedroller 31 in Figure 3 across the raised flipper plate ll and into theair beam switch ABS which resulted in stopping the feeding of thewrapper. The wrapper is below the loading plate 26 so that the sealtable can come up and engage it and raise it to a position level withthe loading plate as in Figure so that the feed ram FR can push thearticle on to the wrapper where it is supported by the seal table ST asillustrated.

The next step in the operation is shown in Figure 11, the top ram TRdriving the article and the wrapper downwardly to wrapping positionopposite the tuckers T. In doing this, the

wrapper is folded along the sides of the article by the side fold plates53 and 55, the side fold solenoid SFS being de-energized at this time sothat the spring Ed is in effect to press the side fold plate 53 tightlyagainst the wrapper and the partially wrapped package in turn tightlyagainst the stationary side plate 55.

Next, as in Figure 12, the top ram TR. is raised out of the way and the#1 seal plate SP! is advanced to fold down the top flap on the article Afollowing which the #2 seal plate SP2 advances (shown partly advanced inthis figure), the flipper plate 5? being raised out of the way byenergization ,of the flipper solenoid FS. The seal table ST then movesup for a package press operation. In the next step of the operation(Figure 13) the #2 seal plate SP2 has moved all the way forward forcompleting the wrapping of four sides of the article, the marginal edgeof the undersurface of the short flap to the left on top of the articlebeing the part to which the glue belt has applied glue so that the topof the package may be sealed along this glueline. As shown in Figure 14,the wrapper is moving onto supporting rods 99, the tuckers T have beenmoved forward and the top seal TS moved downwardly to press the #2 sealplate tightly against the glued flap for top-sealing the package. Hietuckers T fold in end flap portions if as shown in Figure 1 1a leavingan upper flap and a lower end flap 19 still to be folded, the operation,of course, being performed on both ends of the package P.

After the flaps H are folded, the tuckers T are drawn back as in Figure15 and the top seal raises again. In Figure 16 both the top seal platesSP! and SP2 have moved back and the seal table ST has moved down to aposition level with the discharge plate 28. The discharge ram DP. atthis time is retracted as shown and the step in the operation is theforward movemerit of the discharge ram as shown progressively in Figures17 and 18. In Figure 17 the movement of the partially wrapped packagesresults in folding the flaps i8 downwardly by flap folder blades 23! ateach end of thepackage after which further movement causes the bottomflaps it to pass under glue-applying rollers 82 to apply glue to themarginal upper edges of the stillunfoldcd flaps '19. This is shown inFigure 18 and also 10 shown therein are the flaps "l9beingfolded'upwardly by flap folder blades :83.

Further movement of the discharge ram DR causes the completely wrappedpackage to pass between the seal plates 29 and ES as in Figures 4 and19, during which time air is supplied to the front end of the end sealcylinder ESC to move the end seal ES to provide clearance for thepackage P as it moves forwardly. Subsequently (when the discharge ram isretracted), the end seal ES is driven pneumatically tightly against thepackage P for sealing the glued end flap 19 against the end flap '18 asindicated by the'glued flap G2 in Figure 2.

Reference is now made to Figures 20, 21 and 22. In the latter twofigures the complete electrical diagram of our control system is shown.Figure 20 is a chart of the symbols used in Figures 21 and 22. Thevarious relays, their contacts and solenoid coils, the valve operatingsolenoids, and the manual and limit switches of the entire circuit aredisclosed and labeled as already referred to in connection with previousfigures.

Before tracing through the complete sequence of mechanical andelectrical operations of the packaging machine, a few comments followwith respect to some of the elements thus far described. The cylindersSTC and TSC are in pairs the same as the cylinders K8zGBC illustrated inFigure 1 but it is sufficient for the purpose of this applicationthat'only one'of each cylinder STC and TSC be described. Likewise, theleft tuckers T and the right tuckers T are in pairs as obviouslyrequired for both ends of the package.

The switch Sw-Il is a manual switch turned off while the machine is inautomatic operation. It is turned to the on position whenever there is astoppage during production or at the end of a production run in order tokeep'the glue inth'e gluepot 32 for the glue belt GB in usablecondition.

The switch S1048 is turned to the off position while checking certainoperations of the packaging machine. It is then turned to the on orautomatic position whenever the machine is in operation (whileautomatically wrapping a package).

Tracing through the complete sequence of mechanical and electricaloperationsof the packaging machine, after manually closing the switchesSw-l3, Stu-44, Stu-l5, S'LU-IB and Stu-l8 as in Figures 21 and 22, whichrespectively energize the wrapper feed motor FWM, the end glue motorsEGM, the top seal heater TSH and the end seal heaters ESI-I, andconditions the circuit at switch Sui-l8 for automatic operation of themachine, the machine operates in a sequence involving the followingeleven steps, steps (1) to (11) involving the closure or opening of theswitches Sw-I to Sw-I l respectively. 7

(1) The article A is loaded into the machine by placing it on theloading plate 26 and pushing it toward the stop plate 27 which closesswitch Sw-l. The closure of this switch energizes the solenoid coils 3-Fand 2-F sending the seal table ST up to loading level (level withloading plate 28) The circuit can be traced from L2 through the solenoidcoils 3-F and 2-F (wire- 0) to the line Li, and adjacent the line Llfollowing 3-F and 2-F the resulting operation is -inri'i-icated ST upand ST down (exh) (from top of ST) Thus the present list 'of mechanicaland electrical operations may be used in conjunction with Figures 3, 21and 22 to quickly trace out any fcircuit and the resulting operationsare indicated in a comparatively simple manner.

(2) Upward travel of the seal table ST opens STD-9 and Sw-lfi at thebeginning of the stroke and closes Sw-2 at the top of the stroke.Closure of SLU-Z energizes the solenoid coil -F sending the feed ram FRforward and the knife and glue belt KSzGB down. The lowering of theknife cuts the wrapper W and the lowering of the glue belt applies astrip of glue across the wrapper.

(3) Forward travel of the feed ram FR closes the switch Sw-B at the endof the stroke, thereby energizing the relay coil Ri-T and solenoid coilsB-F, 5-R and 8-H.

Energization of relay coil Rl-T Opens the contacts Rl-lA, Ri-ZA, RI-SAand RI-QA:

Rl-I A de-energizes solenoid coil 3-F.

R|-2A de-energizes solenoid coil 5-F.

Rl-EA de-energizes relay coil Rl-T.

Rl-QA de-energizes solenoid coil Z-F.

Closes contacts R543, Ri-EB, Ri3B and Rl-AB:

Rl-lB energizes solenoid coil t-R exhausting the air from bottom of sealtable cylinder STC now in the up position.

Rl-ZB results in nothing happening because switch SZU9 is open.

Rl-SB closes line Li to relay coil Rl-C.

Rl-dB results in nothing happening until switch Sw-Q closes to establisha circuit through Sui-i3 and Sw-ifl to solenoid coil 2-F.

6-F sends top ram TR down. s

5-H. sends feed ram FR rearward and sends knife and glue belt K&GB up.

8-R sends discharge ram DR rearward and closes end seal ES (by sendingthe piston in ESC forward).

(4) Top ram TR travels down engaging the article A on the seal table anddriving it and the wrapper W as well as the seal table ST down towrapping position shown in Figure 11. Down travel of top ram TR closesswitch Sui- IA and opens switch Stu-5B. Sic-4A energizes relay coilsR2-T, Rs-T and solenoid coil E-R which latter sends the top ram TR up.As TR travels up it opens Sw ZB and closes Sw-lA for the next operatingcycle.

Energization of relay coil R2-T- J Open contacts RZ-i A, 324A and R2-3A:

RZ-iA results in no operation because this line is already open at Sw6.RZ-ZA de-energizes side fold solenoid SFS. R2-3A de-energizes relay coilRZ-T. Closes contacts R2-iB, RZ-ZB, R2-3B and RZ-IB are not efiectiveuntil SUI-6 closes. RZ-ZB energizes timer solenoid TS which promptlycloses switch Sui-20 to de-energize the wrapper feed solenoid WFS sothat the roller 3 drops down against the wrapper W and engages it withthe feed roller 3| which 7 causes feeding of the wrapper. R2-3B closesline LI to relay coil 7 R3-T.

. RZ-GB are not effective until Stu-6 closes. Energization of relay coilR3-T Opens contacts RS-ZA and lat-3A:

R3+2A momentarily energizes the solenoid coils t-R, 3-H. and 1-H, butsince and energizes the flipper solenoid F5 to raise the flipper 41 tothe horizontal position for supporting the feeding wrapper.

R3 33 closes line Ll to relay coil RE-C.

(5) Forward travel of the #1 seal plate SPi closes switch Sw-5 at theend of the stroke, energizing solenoid coil I-F, sending #2 seal plateSP2 forward.

(6) Forward travel of the #2 seal plate SP2 closes switch Sw-G whichre-energizes the solenoid coil 3-15, for sending the seal table ST upand causing a package pressing operation as in Figure 13 just prior tothe #2 seal plate finishing its stroke, and energizes the solenoid coil'i-F for sending both tuckers T forward and the top seal TS down, allthree of the cylinders TC, TC and TSC being connected to the same valveV7.

(7) About this time the advance edge of the next wrapper cuts the airbeam 40 of the air beam switch ABS, thereby permitting the switch Sw-lto close and energize the relay coil RZ-C.

Energization of relay coil R2-C Opens contacts RZ-IB, RZ-ZB, R2-3B andRZ-IB de-energizes solenoid coil l-F.

R2-2B de-energizes time solenoid TS for quickly closing the switchSui-2Q and this switch in turn energizes the Wrapper feed solenoid WFSto promptly cause the wrapper W to stop feed- R23B de-energizes relaycoil RZ-C.

R2-4B de-energizes solenoid coil 3-F.

Closes contacts RZ-IA, RZ-ZA and R2-3A:

R2-IA energizes solenoid coil l-R sending tuckers T back and top seal TSup.

R2-2A energizes side fold solenoid SP5 to release the pressure of sidefold plate 53 on the partially wrapped package.

R2-3A closes line Ll to relay coil RZ-T.

(8) The left-hand tucker T in returning closes switch Sw-8 at the end ofits stroke for energizing solenoid. coil 2-H, and relay coil RZ-C.

Energization of relay coil R3-C- Opens contacts R3-IB, R3-2B and let-3B:

R3-IB de-energizes glue belt motor GBM;

R3-2B de-energizes solenoid coil LE and flipper solenoid FS.

R3-3B de-energizes relay coil RS-C.

Closes contacts Bil-2A and R3-3A:

R3-2A energizes solenoid coils iR, i-R

and 3-H. sending #1 seal plate SP5 back, closing branch air lines 39 and84 to the air beam switch ABS (which closes switch 810-1) and the knifeblow pipe KBP sending #2'seal plate back and exhausting the air from thelower end of the seal table cylinder STC.

R3-3A closes line Ll to relay coil R3-T.

Energization of solenoid coil 2-R sends the seal table ST down to thedischarge level shown in Figure 3.

(9) Seal table ST traveling down closes Seuat the lower end of itstravel for energizing the solenoid coil Z-F which exhausts the air fromthe upper end of the seal table cylinder STC.

(10) The seal table ST in the down position closes switch Sui-9energizing solenoid coil 8-? for sending the discharge ram DR forwardand for opening the end seal ES by driving the piston of ESC rearward.

(11) As the package P travels along the discharge plate 80, past theflap folder blades 8|, the glue applying rollers 82 of the end gluemotors EGM and the flap folder blades s3, these elements being in pairsso as to fold both ends of the wrapper about the article, the wrappingof the package is completed. During the stroke of the package caused bythe forward movement of the discharge ram DR, forward lower corner ofthe package P closes switch Sw-l l for energizing the relay coil RI-Cand then the package goes on past the switch to let it reopen.

Energization of relay coil RFC- Opens contacts Rl-IB, Rl-2B, RI-3B andRllB;

Rl-IB de-energizes solenoid coils lR,

3-H, and d-R. Rl-ZB de-energizes solenoid coil 2-2 RJl-SB de-energizesrelay coil Rl-C. Rl-AB tie-energizes solenoid coil -F. Closes contactsRl-IA, Rl-ZA and. RilA which prepare the machine for the next cycle ofoperations.

The complete cycle of operations is thus completed in the eleven stepsjust enumerated. if any one step fails to be completed because ofjamming of the article or for any other cause, the machine will stop andthe jammed package may be removed or the trouble remedied. There uponthe reset switch Sui-l9 may be manually depressed the button ill whichwill close the switches Sw-l9 Sui-It and Strait, and open the switchsw-le Openeing of the switch Sw-l 9 de-energizes the reset relaysolenoid HRS so that the reset relay contacts RR i and RR: are opened,and the reset relay contacts RRJ, RRZ, RR?! and ERG are closed whichresults in the return of all the machine elements to their startingpositions and ready for step (1). Our circuit arrangement is such thatresetting can be accomplished at any point in the sequence.

The operation of the reset switch S1049 as just described will close theend seal ES whereupon subsequent closure of the manual switch S2042 willopen the end seal if this is required to afford pressure relief on ajammed package. In case of a wrapper failure or a package jam-up, inorder to clear the machine, the reset switch Sw-|9 is held depressedwhile the package is being removed. Also any article A which is holdingswitch Sw-l closed should be backed away from the switch and not fed tothe machine again until the jammed package has been removed and thereset button 8i released.

Having described our control system and the operation thereof inconnection with a packaging machine, it is believed obvious wherein thecontrol system will accomplish the objects contemplated and provide forproper sequence of operation of the machine as well as permitting properresetting of the various machine elements in case of jam-up or any othermalfunctioning of the machine.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of theparts of our packaging machine control without departing from the realspirit and purpose of our invention, and it is our intention to cover byour claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanicalequivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

We claim as our invention:

1. A circuit and solenoid operator arrangement for a plurality offluid-operated cylinder and piston units comprising a first solenoidvalve having a solenoid for positioning the valve to move a first pistonforwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve tomove it rearwardly, a second solenoid valve having a solenoid forpositioning the valve to exhaust fluid from the forward end of a secondcylinder and a second solenoid for positioning the valve to admit fluidthereto to move it rearwardly, a third solenoid valve having a solenoidfor positioning the valve to admit fluid to the rearward end of saidsecond cylinder to move its piston forwardly and a solenoid forpositioning the valve to exhaust fluid therefrom, a fourth solenoidvalve having a solenoid for positioning the valve to move a third pistonforwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve tomove it rearwardly, a fifth solenoid valve having a solenoid forpositioning the valve to move a fourth piston forwardly in its cylinderand a solenoid for positioning the valve to move it rearwardly, a sixthsolenoid valve having a solenoid for positioning the valve to move afifth piston forwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioningthe valve to move it rearwardly, a seventh solenoid valve having asolenoid for positioning the valve to move a sixth piston forwardly inits cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve to move itrearwardly, an eighth solenoid valve having a solenoid for positioningthe valve to move a seventh piston forwardly in its cylinder'and asolenoid for positioning the valve to move it rearwardly, a first switchadapted to be closed to initiate a cycle of operations of said circuitand solenoid operator arrangement, a second switch adapted to be closedby said second piston in its forward movement, a third switch adapted tobe closed by said fourth piston in its forward position, a fourth switchhaving normally closed contacts for opening a first circuit and normallyopen contacts for closing a second circuit when the switch is operated,said fourth switch being adapted to be operated by said fifth piston inits rearward position, a fifth switch adapted to be closed by said thirdpiston in its forward position, a sixth switch adapted to be closed bysaid first piston in its forward position, a seventh switch adapted tobe closed when a wrapper element reaches a predetermined position, aneighth switch adapted to be closed by said sixth piston in its rearwardposition, ninth and tenth switches adapted to be closed by said secondpiston in its rearward position, an eleventh switch adapted to be closedand then reopened by said seventh piston adjacent its outer limit ofmovement, and a control circuit for said solenoid valves comprisingthree relays each having a close coil, a trip coil, normally opencontacts adapted to be closed and normally closed contacts adapted to beopened by en'ergization of said close coil, and normally closed contactsadapted to be opened and normally open contacts adapted to be closed byenergization of said tn'p coil, said first relay having normally closedcontacts in circuit with said first switch and the forward solenoid ofsaid third solenoid valve, having normally closed contacts in circuitwith said second switch and the forward solenoid of said fifth solenoidvalve, having normally closed contacts in circuit with said third switchand the trip coil of said first relay, the forward coil of said sixthsolenoid valve, the rearward coil of said fifth solenoid valve and therearward coil of said eighth solenoid valve being also in circuit withsaid third switch, the rearward coil of said sixth solenoid valve beingin circuit with the normally closed contacts of said fourth switch, theforward coil of said fourth solenoid valve being in circuit with thenormally open contacts of said fourth switch and normally open contactsof said third relay, the forward coil of said first solenoid valve beingin circuit with said fifth switch and normally open contacts of saidsecond relay, the forward coil of said seventh solenoid valve being incircuit with said sixth switch and normally open contacts of said secondrelay, the rearward coil of said seventh solenoid valve being in circuitwith said sixth switch and normally closed contacts of said secondrelay, the rearward coil of said fourth solenoid valve, the rearwardcoil of said first solenoid Valve and the rearward coil of said thirdsolenoid valve being in circuit with normally open contacts of saidfirst relay and normally closed contacts of said third relay, therearward coil of said second solenoid valve being in circuit with saidsixth, seventh and eighth switches, the forward coil of said secondsolenoid valve being in circuit with said first switch and normallyclosed contacts of said first relay and also in circuit with said ninthswitch and normally open contacts of said first relay, the forward coilof said eighth solenoid valve being in circuit with said ninth and tenthswitches and with normally open contacts of said first relay, the closecoil of said first relay being in circuit with said eleventh switch andnormally open contacts of said first relay, the normally closed contactsof said fourth switch being in circuit with the trip coil of said secondrelay and normally closed contacts thereof and in circuit with the tripcoil of said third relay and normally closed contacts thereof, saidsixth and seventh switches being in circuit with the close coil of saidsecond relay and normally open contacts thereof, said sixth, seventh andeighth switches being in circuit with the close coil of said third relayand normally open contacts thereof, whereby closure of said first switchinitiates a complete cycle of operations of said cylinder and pistonunits, and conditions the circuit and solenoid operator arrangement forrecycling.

2. A circuit and solenoid operator arrangement for a plurality offluid-operated cylinder and piston units comprising a first solenoidvalve having a solenoid for positioning the valve to move a first pistonforwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve tomove it rear- Wardly, a second solenoid valve having a solenoid forpositioning the valve to exhaust fluid from the forward end of a secondcylinder and a second solenoid for positioning the valve to admit fluidthereto to move it rearwardly, a third solenoid valve having a solenoidfor positioning th valve to admit fluid to the rearward end of saidsecond cylinder to move its piston forwardly and a solenoid forpositionin the valve to exhaust fluid therefrom, a fourth solenoid valvehaving a solenoid for positioning the valve to move a third pistonforwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve tomove it rcarwardiy, a fifth solenoid valve having a solenoid forpositioning the valve to move a fourth piston forwardly in its cylinderand a solenoid for positioning the valve to move it rearwardly, acylinder and piston unit in addition to said fourth cyiinder and pistonunit, said fifth soienoid valve when its forward solenoid is energizedsupplying fluid to move said last piston forwardly and when its rearwardsolenoid is energized supplying fluid to move said last pistonrearwardiy, a sixth solenoid valve having a solenoid for positioning thevalve to move a fifth piston forwardly in its cyl inder a solenoid forpositioning the valve to move it rearwardly, a seventh solenoid valvehav ing a solenoid for positioning the valve to move a sixth pistonforwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve tomove it rearwardly, an eighth solenoid valve having a solenoid forpositioning the valve to move a seventh piston forwardly in its cylinderand a solenoid for positioning the valve to move it rearwardly, a firstswitch adapted to be closed to initiate a cycle of operations of saidcircuit and solenoid operator arrangement, a second switch adapted to beclosed by said second piston in its forward aovement, a third switchadapted to be closed by said fourth piston in its forward position, afourth switch having normally closed contacts for opening a firstcircuit and normally open contacts for closing a second circuit when theswitch is operated, said fourth switch being adapted to be operated bysaid fifth piston in its rearward position, a fifth switch adapted to beclosed by said third piston in its forward position, a sixth switchadapted to be closed by said first piston in its forward position, aseventh switch adapted to closed when a'wrapper element reaches apredetermined position, an eighth switch adapted to be closed by saidsixth piston in its rearward position, ninth and tenth switches adaptedto be closed by said second piston in rearward position, an eleventhswitch adapted to be ciosed and then reopened by saidseventh pistonadjacent its outer limit of movement, and a control circuit for saidsolenoid valves comprising three relays each having a close coil, a tripcoil, nor mally open contacts adapted to be. closed and normally closedcontacts adapted to be opened by energization of said close coil, andnormally closed contacts adapted to be opened and normally open contactsadapted to be closed by energisation of said trip coil, said first relayhaving normally closed contacts in circuit with said first switch andthe forward solenoid of said third solenoid valve, having normallyclosed contacts in circuit with said second switch and the forwardsolenoid of said fifth solenoid valve, having normally closed contactsin circuit with said third switch and the trip coil of said first relay,the forward coil of said sixth solenoid valve, th rearward coil of saidfifth solenoid valve and the rearward coil of said eighth solenoid valvebeing also in circuit with said third switch, the rearward coil ofsaidsixth solenoid valve being in circuit with the normally closed contactsof said fourth switch, the forward coil of said fourth solenoid valvebeing in circuit with the normally open contacts of said fourth switchand normally open contacts of said third relay, the forward coil of saidfirst solenoid valve being in circuit with said fifth switch andnormally open contacts of said second relay, the forward coil of saidseventh solenoid valve being in circuit with said sixth switch andnormally open contacts of said second relay, the rearward coil of saidseventh solenoid valve bein in circuit with said sixth switch andnormally closed contacts of said second relay, the rearward coil of saidfourth solenoid valve, the rearward coil of said first solenoid valveand the rearward coil of said third solenoid valve bein in circuit withnormally open contacts of said first relay and normally closed contactsof said third relay, the rearward coil of said second solenoid valvebeing in circuit with said sixth, seventh and eighth switches, theforward coil of said second solenoid valve being in circuit with saidfirst switch and normally closed contacts of said first relay and alsoin circuit with said ninth switch and normally open contacts of saidfirst relay, the forward coil of said eighth solenoid valve being incircuit with said ninth and tenth switches and with normally opencontacts of said first relay, the close coil of said first relay beingin circuit with said eleventh switch and normally open contacts of saidfirst relay, the normally closed contacts of said fourth switch being incircuit with the trip coil of said second relay and normally closedcontacts thereof and in circuit with the trip coil of said third relayand normally closed contacts thereof, said sixth and seventh switchesbeing in circuit with the close coil of said second relay and normallyopen contacts thereof, said sixth, seventh and eighth switches being incircuit with the close coil of said third relay and normally opencontacts thereof, whereby closure of said first switch initi- 2,.388 acomplete cycle of operations of said cylinder and piston units, andconditions the circuit and solenoid operator arrangement for recycling.

3. A circuit and solenoid operator arrangement for a plurality offluid-operated cylinder and piston units comprising a first solenoidvalve having a solenoid for positioning the valve to move a first pistonforwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve tomove it rearwardly, a second solenoid valve having a solenoid forpositioning the valve to exhaust finid from the forward end. of a secondcylinder and a second solenoid for positioning the valve to admit fluidthereto to move it rearwardly, a third solenoid valve having a solenoidfor positioning the valve to admit fluid to the rearward end of saidsecond cylinder to move its piston forwardly and a solenoid forpositioning the valve to exhaust fluid therefrom, a fourth solenoidvalve having a solenoid for positioning the valve move a third pistonforwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve tomove rearwarclly, a fifth solenoid valve having a solenoid forpositioning the valve to move a ourth piston forwardly in its cylinderand a olenoid for positioning the valve to move it rearvardly, a sixthsolenoid valve having a solenoid or positioning the valve to move afifth piston iorwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioningthe valve to move it rearwardly, a seventh solenoid valve having asolenoid for positioning the valve to move a sixth piston forwardly inits cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve to move itrearwardly, a cylinder and piston unit in addition to said sixthcylinder and piston unit, said seventh valve being connected therewithto move said last piston forwardly when said sixth piston is movedforwardly and rearwardly when said sixth piston is moved'rearwardly, an

18 eighth solenoid valve having a solenoid for positioning the valve tomove a seventh piston forwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid forpositioning the valve to move it rearwardly, a first switch adapted tobe closed to initiate a cycle of operations of said circuit and solenoidoperator arrangement, a second switch adapted to be closed by saidsecond piston in its forward movement, a third switch adapted to beclosed by said fourth piston in its forward position, a fourth switchhaving normally closed contacts for opening a first circuit and normallyopen contacts for closing a second circuit when the switch is operated,said fourth switch being adapted to be operated by said fifth piston inits rearward position, a fifth switch adapted to be closed by said thirdpiston in its forward position, a sixth switch adapted to be closed bysaid first piston in its forward position, a seventh switch adapted tobe closed when a wrapper element reaches a predetermined position, aneighth switch adapted to be closed by said sixth piston in its rearwardposition, ninth and tenth switches adapted to be closed by said secondpiston in its rearward position, an eleventh switch adapted to be closedand then reopened by said seventh piston adjacent its outer limit ofmovement, and a control circuit for said solenoid valves comprisingthree relays each having a close coil, a trip coil, normally opencontacts adapted to be closed and normally closed contacts adapted to beopened by energization of said close coil, and normally closed contactsadapted to be opened and normally open contacts adapted to be closed byenergization of said trip coil, said first relay having normally closedcontacts in circuit with said first switch and the forward solenoid ofsaid third solenoid valve, having normally closed contacts in circuitwith said second switch and the forward solenoid of said fifth solenoidvalve, having normally closed contacts in circuit with said third switchand the trip coil of said first relay, the forward coil of said sixthsolenoid valve, the rearward coil of said fifth solenoid valve and therearward coil of said eighth solenoid valve being also in circuit withsaid third switch, the rearward coil of said sixth solenoid valve beingin circuit with the normally closed contacts of said fourth switch, theforward coil of said fourth solenoid valve being in circuit with thenormally open contacts of said fourth switch and normally open contactsof said third relay, the forward coil of said first solenoid valve beingin circuit with said fifth switch and normally open contacts of saidsecond relay, the forward coil of said seventh solenoid valve being incircuit with said sixth switch and normally open contacts of said secondrelay, the rearward coil of said seventh solenoid valve being in circuitwith said sixth switch and normally closed contacts of said secondrelay, the rearward coil ofsaid fourth solenoid valve, the rearward coilof said first solenoid valve and the rearward coil of said thirdsolenoid valve being in circuit with normally open contacts of saidfirst relay and normally closed contacts of said third relay, therearward coil of said second solenoid valve being in circuit with saidsixth, seventh and eighth switches, the forward coil of said secondsolenoid valve being in circuit with said first switch and normallyclosed contacts of said first relay and also circuit with said ninthswitch and normally open contacts of said first relay, the forward coilof said eighth solenoid valve being in circuit with said ninth and tenthswitches and with normally open contacts of said first relay, the closecoil of said first relay being in circuit with said eleventh switch andnormally open contacts of said first relay, the normally closed contactsof said fourth switch being in circuit with the trip coil of said secondrelay and normally closed contacts thereof and in circuit with the tripcoil of said third relay and normally closed contacts thereof, saidsixth and seventh switches being in circuit with the close coil of saidsecond relay and normally open contacts thereof, said sixth, seventh andeighth switches being in circuit with the close coil of said third relayand normally open contacts thereof, whereby closure of said first switchinitiates a complete cycle of operations of said cylinder and pistonunits, and conditions the circuit and solenoid operator arrangement forrecycling.

4. A circuit and solenoid operator arrangement for a plurality offluid-operated cylinder and piston units comprising a first solenoidvalve having a solenoid for positioning the valve to move a first pistonforwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve tomove it rearwardly, a second solenoid valve having a solenoid forpositioning the valve to exhaust fluid from the forward end of a secondcylinder and a second solenoid for positioning the valve to admit fiuidthereto to move it rearwardly, a third solenoid valve having a solenoidfor positioning the valve to admit fluid to the rearward end of saidsecond cylinder to move its piston forwardly and a solenoid forpositioning the valve to exhaust fluid therefrom, a fourth solenoidvalve having a solenoid for positioning the valve to move a third pistonforwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve tomove it rearwardly, a fifth solenoid valve having a solenoid forpositioning the valve to move a fourth piston forwardly in its cylinderand a solenoid for positioning the valve to move it rearwardly, a sixthsolenoid valve having a solenoid for positioning the valve to move afifth piston forwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioningthe valve to move it rearwardly, a seventh solenoid valve having asolenoid for positioning the valve to move a sixth piston forwardly inits cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve to move itrearwardiy, an eighth solenoid valve having a solenoid for positioningthe valve to move a seventh piston forwardly in its cylinder and asolenoid for positioning the valve to move it rearwardly, a cylinderpiston unit in addition to said fourth cylinder and piston unit, saideighth solenoid valve being connected therewith to move said last pistonforwardly when said fourth piston is moved forwardly and rearwardly whensaid fourth piston is moved rearwardly, a first switch adapted to beclosed to initiate a cycle of operations of said circuit and solenoidoperator arrangement, a second switch adapted to be closed by saidsecond piston in its forward movement, a third switch adapted to beclosed by said fourth piston in its forward position, a fourth switchhaving normally closed contacts for opening a first circuit and normallyopen contacts for closing a second circuit when the switch is operated,said fourth switch being adapted to be operated by said fifth piston inits rearward position, a fifth switch adapted to be closed by said thirdpiston in its forward position, a sixth switch adapted to be closed bysaid first piston in its forward position, a seventh switch adapted tobe closed when a wrapper element reaches a predetermined position, aneighth switch adapted to be adapted to be closed by energization of saidtrip coil, said first relay having normally closed con" tacts in circuitwith said first switch and the forward solenoid of said third solenoidvalve, having normally closed contacts in circuit with said secondswitch and the forward solenoid of said fifth solenoid valve, havingnormally closed contacts in circuit with said third switch and the tripcoil of said first relay, the forward coil of said sixth solenoid valve,the rearward coil of said fifth solenoid valve and the rearward coil ofsaid eighth solenoid valve being also in circuit with said third switch,the rearward coil of said sixth solenoid valve being in circuit with thenormally closed contacts of said fourth switch, the forward coil of saidfourth solenoid valve being in circuit with the normally open contactsof said fourth switch and normally open contacts of said third relay,the forward coil of said first solenoid valve being in circuit with saidfifth switch and normally open contacts of said second relay, theforward coil of said seventh solenoid valve being in circuit with saidsixth switch and normally open contacts of said second relay, therearward coil of said seventh solenoid valve being in circuit with saidsixth switch and normally closed contacts of said second relay, therearward coil of said fourth solenoid valve, the rearward coil of saidfirst solenoid valve and the rearwar coil of said third solenoid valvebeing in circuit with normally open contacts of said first relay andnormally closed contacts of said third relay, the rearward coil of saidsecond solenoid valve being in circuit with said sixth, seventh andeighth switches, the forward coil of said second solenoid valve being incircuit with said first switch and normally closed contacts of saidfirst relay and also in circuit with said ninth switch and normally opencontacts of said first relay, the forward coil of said eighth solenoidvalve being in circuit with said ninth and tenth switches and withnormally open contacts of said first relay, the close coil of said firstrelay being in circuit with said eleventh switch and normally opencontacts of said first relay, the normally closed contacts of saidfourth switch being in circuit with the trip coil of said second relayand normally closed contacts thereof and in circuit with the trip coilof said third relay and normally closed contacts thereof, said sixth andseventh switches being in circuit with the close coil of said secondrelay and normally open contacts thereof, said sixth, seventh and eighthswitches being in circuit with the close coil of said third relay andnormally open contacts thereof, whereby closure of said first switchinitiates a complete cycle of operations of said cylinder and pistonunits, and conditions the circuit and solenoid operator arrangement forrecycling. 5. A circuit and solenoid operator arrangement for aplurality of fiuid-operated cylinder and piston units comprising a firstsolenoid valve having a solenoid for positioning the valve to move afirst piston forwardly in its cylinder and a solehold for positioningthe valve to move it rearwardly, a second solenoid valve having asolenoid for positioning the valve to exhaust fluid from the forward endof a second cylinder and a second solenoid for positioning the valve toadmit fluid thereto to move it rearwardly, a third solenoid valve havinga solenoid for positioning the valve to admit fluid to the rearward endof said second cylinder to move its piston forwardly and solenoid forpositioning the valve to exhaust fluid therefrom, a fourth solenoidvalve having a solenoid for positioning the valve to move a third pistonforwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valv tomove it rearwardly, a fifth solenoid valve having a solenoid forpositioning the valv to move a fourth piston forwardly in its cylinderand a solenoid for positioning the valve to move it rearwardly, a sixthsolenoid valve having a solenoid for positioning the valve to move afifth piston forwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioningthe valve to move it rearwardly, a seventh solenoid valve having asolenoid for positioning the valve to move a sixth piston forwardly inits cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve to move itrearwardly, an eighth sol noid valve having a solenoid for positioningthe valve to move a seventh piston forwardly in its cylinder and asolenoid for positioning the valve to move it rearwardly, a first switchadapted to be closed to initiate a cycle of operations of said circuitand solenoid operator arrangement, a second switch adapted to be closedby said second piston in its forward movement, a third switch adapted tobe closed by said fourth piston in its forward position, a fourth switchhaving normally closed contacts for opening a first circuit and normallyopen contacts for closing a second circuit when the switch is operated,said fourth switch being adapted to be operated by said fifth piston inits rearward position, a fifth switch adapted to be closed by said thirdpiston in its forward position, a sixth switch adapted to be closed bysaid first piston in its forward position, a seventh tch adapted to beclosed when a wrapper element reaches a predetermined position, aneighth switch adapted to be closed by said sixth piston in its rearwardposition, ninth and tenth switches adapted to be closed by said secondpiston in its rearward position, an eleventh switch adapted to be closedand then reopened said seventh piston adjacent its outer limit ofmovement, and a control circuit for said sol noid valves comprisingthree relays each having a close coil, a trip coil, normally opencontacts adapted to be closed and normally closed contacts adapted to beopened by energization of said close coil, and normally closed contactsadapted to be opened and normally open contacts adapted to be closed byenergization of said trip coil, said first relay having normally closedcontacts in circuit with said first switch and the forward solenoid ofsaid third solenoid valve, having normally closed contacts in circuitwith said second switch and the forward solenoid of said fifth solenoidvalve, having normally closed contacts in circuit with said third switchand the trip coil of said first relay, the forward coil of said sixthsolenoid valve, the rearward coil of said fifth solenoid valve and therearward coil of said eighth solenoid valve being also in circuit withsaid third switch, the rearward coil of said sixth solenoid valve beingin circuit with the normally closed contacts of said fourth switch, theforward coil of said fourth solenoid valve being in circuit with thenormally open contacts of said fourth switch and normally open contactsof said third relay, the forward coil of said first solenoid valve beingin circuit with said fifth switch and normally open contacts of saidsecond relay, the forward coil of said seventh solenoid valve being incircuit with said sixth switch and normally open contacts of said secondrelay, the rearward coil of said seventh solenoid valve being in circuitwith said sixth switch and normally closed. contacts of said secondrelay, the rearward coil of said fourth solenoid valve, the rearwardcoil of said first solenoid valve and the rearward coil of said thirdsolenoid valve being in circuit with normally open contacts of saidfirst relay and normally closed contacts of said third relay, therearward coil of said second solenoid valve being in circuit with saidsixth, seventh and eighth switches, the forward coil of said secondsolenoid valve being in circuit with said first switch and normallyclosed contacts of said first relay and also in circuit with said ninthswitch and normally open contacts of said first relay, the forward coilof said eighth solenoid valve being in circuit with said ninth and tenthswitches and with normally open contacts of said first relay, the closecoil of said first relay being in circuit with said eleventh switch andnormally open contacts of said first relay, the normally closed contactsof said fourth switch being in circuit with the trip coil of said secondrelay and normally closed contacts thereof and in circuit with the tripcoil of said third relay and normally closed contacts thereof, saidsixth and seventh switches being in circuit with the close coil of saidsecond relay and normally open contacts thereof, said sixth, seventh andeighth switches being in circuit with the close coil of said third relayand normally open contacts thereof, a manualiy operable reset switch forsaid control circuit having normally closed contacts in circuit withfirst to eleventh switches, and having normally open contacts toestablish circuits for the rearward coils of said fifth and eighthsolenoid valves, for the rearward coil of said sixth solenoid valve, forthe close coil of said second relay and normally open contacts thereof,for the rearward coil of said seventh solenoid valve, for the rearwardcoils of said fourth, first and third solenoid valves, for the closecoil of said third relay and normally open contacts thereof, for therearward coil of said second solenoid valve and for the close coil ofsaid first relay and normally open contacts thereof, whereby closure ofsaid first switch initiates a complete cycle of operations of saidcylinder and piston units, and

conditions the circuit and solenoid operator ary rangeznent forrecycling.

6. A circuit and solenoid operator arrangement for a plurality offluid-operated cylinder and piston units comprising a first solenoidvalve having a solenoid for positioning the valve to move a first pistonforwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve tomove it rear- 7 wardly, a second solenoid valve having a solenoid forpositioning the valve to exhaust fluid from the forward end of a secondcylinder and a second solenoid for positioning the valve to admit fluidthereto to move it rearwardly, a third solenoid valve having a solenoidfor positioning the valve to admit fiuid to the rearward end of saidsecond cylinder to move its piston forwardly and a solenoid forpositioning the valve to exhaust fluid therefrom, a fourth solenoidvalve having a solenoid for positioning the valve to move a third afifth solenoid valve having a solenoid for positioning the valve to movea fourth piston forwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioningthe valve to move it rearwardly, a sixth solenoid valve having asolenoid for positioning the valve to move a fifth piston forwardly inits cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve to move itrearwardly, a seventh solenoid valve having a solenoid for positioningthe valve to move a sixth piston forwardly in its cylinder and asolenoid for positioning the valve to move it rearwardly, an eighthsolenoid valve having a solenoid for positioning the valve to move aseventh piston forwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioningthe valve to move it rearwardly, a first switch adapted to be closed toinitiate a cycle of operations of said circuit and solenoid operatorarrangement, a second switch adapted to be closed by said second pistonin its forward movement, a third switch adapted to be closed by saidfourth piston in its forward position, a fourth switch having normallyclosed contacts for opening a first circuit and normally open contactsfor closing a second circuit when the switch is operated, said fourthswitch being adapted to be operated by said fifth piston in its rearwardposition, a fifth switch adapted to be closed by said third piston inits forward position, a sixth switch adapted to be closed by said firstpiston in its forward position, an air beam switch having normallyclosed contacts constituting a seventh switch, said seventh switch beingopened by an air beam fed from said fourth solenoid valve when theforward solenoid thereof is energized, means to interrupt said air beamfor causing said seventh switch to close, an eighth switch adapted to beclosed by said sixth piston in its rearward position, ninth and tenthswitches adapted to be closed by said second piston in its rearwardposition, an eleventh switch adapted to be closed and then reopened bysaid seventh piston adjacent its outer limit of movement, and a controlcircuit for said solenoid valves comprisin three relays each having aclose coil, a trip coil, normally open contacts adapted to be closed andnormally closed contacts adapted to be opened by energization of saidclose coil, and normally closed contacts adapted to be opened andnormally open contacts adapted to be closed by energization of said tripcoil, said first relay hav ing normally closed contacts in circuit withsaid first switch and the forward solenoid of said third solenoid valve,having normally closed contacts in circuit with said second switch andthe forward solenoid of said fifth solenoid valve, having normallyclosed contacts in circuit with said third switch and the trip coil ofsaid first relay, the forward coil of said sixth solenoid valve, therearward coil of said fifth solenoid valve and the rearward coil of saideighth solenoid valve being also in circuit with said third switch, therearward coil of said sixth solenoid valve being in circuit with thenormally closed contacts of said fourth switch, the forward coil of saidfourth solenoid valve being in circuit with the normally open contactsof said fourth switch and normally open contacts of said third relay,the forward coil of said first solenoid valve being in cirof saidseventh solenoid valve being in circuit with said sixth switch andnormally open contacts of said second relay, the rearward coil of saidseventh solenoid valve being in circuit with said sixth switch andnormally closed contacts of said second relay, the rearward coil of saidfourth solenoid valve, the rearward coil of said first solenoid valveand the rearward coil of said third solenoid valve being in circuit withnormally open contacts of said first relay and normally closed contactsof said third relay, the rearward coil of said second solenoid valvebeing in circuit with said sixth, seventh and eighth switches, theforward coil of said second solenoid valve being in circuit with saidfirst switch and normally closed contacts of said first relay and alsoin circuit with said ninth switch and normally open contacts of saidfirst relay, the forward coil of said eighth solenoid valve being incircuit with said ninth and tenth switches and with normally opencontacts of said first relay, the close coil of said first relay beingin circuit with said eleventh switch and normally open contacts of saidfirst relay, the normally closed contacts of said fourth switch being incircuit with the trip coil of said second relay and normally closedcontacts thereof and in circuit with the trip coil of said third relayand normally closed contacts thereof, said sixth and seventh switchesbeing in circuit with the close coil of said second relay and normallyopen contacts thereof, said sixth, seventh and eighth switches being incircult with the close coil of said third relay and normally opencontacts thereof, whereby closure of said first switch initiates acomplete cycle of operations of said cylinder and piston units, andconditions the circuit and solenoid operator arrangement for recycling.

7. A circuit and solenoid operator arrangement for a plurality offluid-operated cylinder and piston units comprising a first solenoidvalve having a solenoid for positioning the valve to move a first pistonforwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve tomove it rearwardly, a second solenoid valve having a solenoid forpositioning the valve to exhaust fluid from the forward end of a secondcylinder and a second solenoid for positioning the valve to admit fluidthereto to move it rearwardly, third solenoid valve having a solenoidfor positioning the valve to admit fluid to the rearward end of saidsecond cylinder to move its piston forwardly and a solenoid forpositioning the valve to exhaust fluid therefrom, a fourth solenoidvalve having a solehold for positioning the valve to move a third pistonforwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve tomove it rearwardly, a fifth solenoid valve having a solenoid forpositioning the valve to move a fourth piston forwardly in its cylinderand a solenoid for tioning the valve to move it rearwardly, a cylinderand piston unit in addition to said fourth cylinder and piston unit,said fifth solenoid valvewhen its forward solenoid is energizedsupplying fluid to move said last piston forwardly and when its rearwardsolenoid is energized supplying fluid to move said last pistonrearwardly, a sixth solenoid Valve having a solenoid for positioning thevalve to move a fifth piston forwardly in its cylinder and a solenoidfor positioning the valve to move it rearwardly, a seventh solenoidvalve having a solenoid for positioning the valve to move a sixth pistonforwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve tomove it rearwardly, a cylinder and piston unit in addition to said sixthcylinder and piston unit, said seventh valve being connected therewithto move said last piston forwardly when'said sixth piston is movedforwardly and rearwardly when said. sixth, piston, is moved rearwardly,an eighth solenoid valve having a solenoid for positioning the, valvetomove a seventh piston forwardly in its, cylinder and a solenoid forpositioning the:- valve to=move it rearwardly, a rst switch adapted tobe closed to initiate a cycle of operations of said circuit and solenoidoperator arrangement, a second switch adapted to be closed by saidsecond piston in its forward movement, a third switch adapted to beclosed by said fourth piston in its, forward position, a fourth switchhaving normally closed contacts for opening a first circuit and normallyopen contacts for closing a second circuit when the switch is. operated,said fourth switch being adapted to be operated by said fifth piston inits rearward position, a fifth switch adapted to closed by said thirdpiston in its forward position, a sixth switch adapted to be closed bysaid first piston in its forward position, a seventh switch adapted tobe closed when a wrapper element reaches a predetermined position, aneighth switch to be closed by said sixth piston in i arward position,ninth and: tenth switches adapted to be closed by said second piston inits rearward position, an eleventh switch adapted to be closed and thenreopened by said seventh piston adjacent its outer limit of movement,and a control circuit for said solenoid valves comprising three relayseach having a close coil, a trip coil, normally open contacts adapted tobe closed and normally closed contacts adapted to be opened byenergization of said close coil, and normally closed contacts adapted tobe opened and normally open contacts adapted to be closed byenergization of said trip. coil, said first relay having normally closedcontacts in circuit with said first switch and the forward solenoid ofsaid third solenoid valve, having normally closed contacts in circuitwith said second switch and the forward solenoid of said fifth solenoidValve, having normally closed contacts in circuit with said third switchand the trip coil of said first relay, the forward coil of said sixthsolenoid valve, the rearward coil of said fifth solenoid valve and therearward coil of said eighth solenoid valve being also in circuit withsaid third switch, the rearward coil of said sixth solenoid valve beingin circuit with the normally closed contacts of said fourth switch, theforward coil of fourth solenoid valve being in circuit with the normallyopen contacts of said fourth switch and normally open contacts of saidthird relay, the forward coil of said first solenoid valve being incircuit with saidfifth switch and normally open contacts of said secondrelay, the forward coil of said seventh solenoid valve being in circuitwith said sixth switch and normally open contacts of said second relay,the rearward coil of said seventh solenoid valve being in circuit withsaid sixth switch and normally closed contents of said second relay, therearward coil of said fourth solenoid valve, the rearward coil of saidfirst solenoid valve and the rearward coil of said third solenoid valvebeing in circuit with normally open contacts of said first relay andnormally closed contacts of said third relay, the rearward coil of saidsecond solenoid valve being in circult with said sixth, seventh andeighth switches, the forward coil of said second solenoid valve being incircuit with said first switch and normally closed contacts of saidfirst relay and also in circuit with said ninth switch and normally opencontacts of said first relay, the forward coil of said eighth solenoidvalve being in circuit with said ninth and tenth switches and withnormally said fourth switch being in circuit with the trip coil of saidsecond relay and normally closed contacts thereof and in circuit withthe trip coil of said third relay and normally closed contacts thereof,said sixth seventh switches being in circuit wih the close coil of saidsecond relay and normally open contacts thereof, said sixth, seventh andeighth switches being in circuit with the close coil of said third relayand, normally open contacts thereof, whereby closure of said switchinitiates a complete cycle of operations of said cylinder and pistonunits, and conditions the circuit and solenoid operator arrangement forrecycling.

8. A circuit and solenoid operator arrangement for a plurality offluid-operated cylinder and piston units comprising a first solenoidvalve having a solenoid for positioning the valve to move a first pistonforwardly its cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve to moveit rearwardly, a second solenoid valve having a solenoid for positioningthe valve to exhaust fluid from the forward end of a second cylinder anda second solenoid for positioning the valve to admit fluid thereto tomove it rearwardly, a third solenoid valve having a solenoid forpositioning the valve to admit fluid to the rearward end of said secondcylinder to move its piston forwardly and a solenoid for positioning t evalve to exhaust fluid therefrom, a fourth solenoid valve having asolenoid for positioning the valve to move a third piston forwardly inits cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve to move itrearwardly, a fifth solenoid valve having a solenoid for positioning thevalve to move a fourth piston forwardly in its cylinder and a solenoidfor positioning the valve to move it rearwardly, a cylinder and pistonunit in addition to said fourth cylinder and piston unit, fifth solenoidvalve when its forward solenoid is energized supplying fluid to movesaid last piston forwardly and when its rearward solenoid is energizedsupplying fluid to move said last piston rearwardly, a sixth solenoidvalve having a solenoid for positioning the valve to move a fifth pistonforwardly in its cylinder and a solenoid for positioning the valve tomove it rearwardly, a seventh solenoid valve having a solenoid forpositioning the valve to move a sixth piston forwardly in its cylinderand a solenoid for positioning the valve to move it rearwardly, aneighth solenoid valve having a solehold for positioning the valve tomove a seventh piston forwardly in cylinder and a solenoid forpositioninig the valve to move it rearwardly, a cylinder and piston unitin addition to said fourth cylinder and piston unit, said eighthsolenoid valve being connected therewith to move said last pistonforwardly when said fourth piston is moved forwardly and rearw rdly whensaid fourth piston is moved rearwardly, a first switch adapted to beclosed to initiate a cycle of operations of said circuit and solenoidoperator arrangement, a second switch adapted to be closed by saidsecond piston in its forward movement, a third switch adapted to beclosed by said fourth piston in its forward position, a fourth switchhaving normally closed contacts for opening a first circuit and normallyopen contacts for closing a second circuit when the switch is operated,said fourth switch being adapted to be operated

